Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Challenge Weeks #252-#253 - Anything Goes

Welcome to Word Art Wednesday! It's time for another fun challenge, and we have some BIG news to share with you all. First, we are launching our Instagram account for the Word Art Wednesday challenges. If you're an Instagram user, and share your entries on Instagram using #WAWchallenge you may be featured on our Instagram page. We will be on the lookout for the entries you share using our #WAWchallenge; and.....to celebrate our launch of this, we're offering a special prize package. One person who uses our hashtag on Instagram will be selected to win this awesome prize. The next thing we want to share with you is that we are welcoming a new Guest Designer for October, Hillary Harris, as well as a super sweet new full-time Design Team Member, Cheryl Scrivens. Both of these talented card makers love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, and are excited to share their talents with us; and we feel SO blessed to have them on our team. Much the same, we feel so blessed to have each of you share your wonderful art with us as well.Our word art/scripture file for this challenge is Proverbs 8:17. This verse says, "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me". This doesn't necessarily mean that God doesn't love everyone; but just like us, it's difficult to deeply love someone when you don't have an intimate relationship with them. So, while God cares about every human heart and wants every person to come to Him for salvation, He has a very special and personal love for His children (those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior and placed their eternal faith in Him). Look at it this way......when you first get married, you LOVE your spouse (of course). But as the years pass by and go you through trials and joys with your spouse, that love just grows even greater. By loving God and growing closer to Him, His love for you continues to grow as well. There's no limit to how much God's love for us can grow as we delight ourselves in Him and draw closer to Him, and ultimately leads to spending glory with Him in eternity. We become more and more blessed by the close relationship we build with Him. The second part of the verse that says, "those who seek me early shall find me" is teaching us that it is easier for children to learn of God's love, and accept it, because they haven't experienced as much of the world's evil and sinfulness. As we grow, our minds become clouded with the diversions of this evil world. This is another reason why it's SO important to teach children about God's love for them, and pray that they will be saved at a young age before the world corrupts their thinking. Of course, it's not impossible for adults to be saved. Praise God, it happens every day! But when we seek God early in our lives, it becomes much easier to accept His love and all He has to offer, and to grow in His wisdom and love. The longer we "put it off" or refuse to think about it and make a decision, the more difficult it becomes to humble our hearts before Him. This verse is a beautiful reminder to us that God loves us and wants us to love Him, and that He encourages us to seek Him now...before it's too late.As always, you are welcome to save the free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges. We welcome you share your all your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards). You may link up to five (5) projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning. It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you as we share it. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules". Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to our guidelines. Please know that this doesn't mean we are judging anyone. We're simply attempting to honor God and follow His rules. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here is this week's word art. We hopethat it will be a blessing to you.

AND NOW.......Our AWESOME sponsor for this challenge:

The Flying Unicorn Store in an AMAZING on-linestore that carries so many fabulous card-makingand scrapbooking supplies. One lucky person willwin a $25 gift certificate to spend however theychoose. Check out The Flying Unicorn.AND

The Cutting Cafe is an awesome digitalshop with the sweetest cutting files and digital stamps. One person will win theirchoice of some AMAZING new files.AND NOW.......Our Very Lucky Winner:

Simon Says Stamp is your one-stop place for ALLthe latest and greatest scrapbook and card-makingsupplies. They have everything you could ever want,and one lucky person will win a generous $25 GiftCertificate to spend at this WONDERFUL store.

13 comments:

Hi there Karen, what a lovely verse indeed, wonderfully shared theme of scripture and well done on launching out into Instagram. Congrats too to the new teamies on your wodnerful team. hugs and God bless, Shaz in Oz.x